NICE has issued final guidance on the use of cetuximab, bevacizumab and panitumumab for the second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (TA 242) which contains the following recommendations:

• Cetuximab monotherapy or combination chemotherapy is not recommended for the treatment of people with metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed after first-line chemotherapy.

• Bevacizumab in combination with non-oxaliplatin (fluoropyrimidine-based) chemotherapy is not recommended for the treatment of people with metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed after first-line chemotherapy.

• Panitumumab monotherapy is not recommended for the treatment of people with metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed after first-line chemotherapy.

• People currently receiving cetuximab monotherapy or combination chemotherapy, bevacizumab in combination with non-oxaliplatin chemotherapy, or panitumumab monotherapy for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed after first-line chemotherapy should have the option to continue treatment until they and their clinician consider it appropriate to stop.